Unlocking ChatGPT’s Power: The Non-Techie’s Guide to Effective Prompts
Tapping into ChatGPT’s true potential takes more than a basic understanding of its capabilities. The real magic happens when you craft effective prompts.
What is a prompt, exactly? A prompt is a question or statement that guides the AI towards a more accurate, focused and relevant response.
But not all prompts are created equal. The quality of your prompts has a big impact on the responses you get.
And the caliber of prompts depends a lot on the questions you ask and the instructions you provide.
While there’s no “perfect” or one-size-fits-all prompt, the trick is to engage with the AI and ask follow-up questions to get most out of the model.
With this in mind, let’s dive into some strategies and techniques that will help you craft more effective prompts.
Be Clear and Concise
Use simple and direct language and provide complete sentences to help the model understand your goal. Clarity helps to avoid ambiguity, and misinterpretation.
I want information about climate change.
Please explain the concept of climate change in laymen’s terms.
Outline the main human activities contributing to climate change and their impacts on the environment.
Get Specific
Cleary define your goal, the scope of the task, and your desired outcome so you can guide the model towards a more focused and relevant response.
Give me some travel advice for Europe.
Share five budget-friendly tips for first-time European travelers.
Suggest five unique destinations for a solo traveler seeking adventure and cultural experiences.
How does technology affect us?
Discuss the impact of social media on mental health in teenagers.
How do I become a better public speaker?
Describe a step-by-step plan to develop and improve public speaking skills.
Provide Context
Set the stage by including all the relevant background information, the scenario, and the specific perspectives or roles the AI should assume.
How can I learn a new language?
I’m planning a trip to Italy in six months. What are some effective ways to learn conversational Italian before my trip?
What are the best movies to watch?
For someone who enjoys psychological thrillers with complex narratives, recommend five must-watch movies that fit this genre and explain why they are worth watching.
Explain the solar system.
As an astronomer, explain the main features of our solar system and their significance.
Below are some examples where we assign the AI a specific role, which can be really helpful.
You are a travel agent who specializes in family-friendly itineraries: Craft a 10-day journey through Japan, emphasizing cultural experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations for a family with young children.
You are a career counselor skilled in helping professionals transition between industries: Offer a step-by-step strategy for someone with 5 years of marketing experience to shift into a project management role.
Define Your Desired Format
Clearly state the format or structure you want for the response. Here are examples of formats:
Bullet points
Numbered lists
Short paragraphs
Q&A format
Step-by-step instructions
Infographic-style summaries
Mind maps
Tables or charts
Pros and cons lists
Sections and subsections
Set the Tone and Writing Style
Specify the desired writing style, tone, voice and cadence to create more dynamic content that is tailored to your audience’s preferences and needs. Here are some examples:
Style:
descriptive
persuasive
concise
narrative
academic
technical
creative
poetic
suspenseful
Tone:
formal
informal
conversational
professional
informative
humorous
ironic
optimistic
playful
Voices:
First person: “I” perspective
Second person: “You” perspective
Third person: “He,” “She,” or “They” perspective
Cadences:
Fast-paced: Short sentences, quick transitions
Slow-paced: Longer sentences, more pauses
Explain the plot of Romeo and Juliet.
Narrate the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet using a lyrical, dramatic tone, emphasizing the emotional depth of the characters.
Write an explanation for climate change.
Write a concise and informative explanation about climate change, expressing the urgency and concern of a scientist dedicated to raising awareness.
Break Down Complex Tasks
Break up prompts into smaller parts and offer step-by-step directions to make complex tasks more manageable. Here’s an example:
Outline First, Full Content Second: Start by asking for an outline of the article or proposal, and then request the full version with all the content and details as the second step.
Step 1 Prompt: Please create a detailed outline for an article on the impact of climate change on wildlife from the perspective of a concerned scientist dedicated to raising awareness.
Step 2 Prompt: Based on the outline you created, please write a 400-word article on the impact of change on wildlife from the perspective of a concerned scientist dedicated to raising awareness.
Experiment, Iterate, Refine
Experiment with different approaches, phrasing, and instructions to learn, adapt, and improve the quality of your prompts and responses. Here are some ways to experiment beyond a first try.